TY - JOUR
T1 - Screening for innovative sources of carotenoids and phenolic antioxidants among flowers
AU - Meléndez-Martínez, Antonio J.
AU - Benítez, Ana
AU - Corell, Mireia
AU - Hernanz, Dolores
AU - Mapelli-Brahm, Paula
AU - Stinco, Carla
AU - Coyago-Cruz, Elena
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors.
PY - 2021/11
Y1 - 2021/11
N2 - Flowers have been used for centuries in decoration and traditional medicine, and as components of dishes. In this study, carotenoids and phenolics from 125 flowers were determined by liquid chromatography (RRLC and UHPLC). After comparing four different extractants, the carotenoids were extracted with acetone: methanol (2:1), which led to a recovery of 83%. The phenolic compounds were extracted with 0.1% acidified methanol. The petals of the edible flowers Renealmia alpinia and Lantana camara showed the highest values of theoretical vitamin A activity expressed as retinol activity equivalents (RAE), i.e., 19.1 and 4.1 RAE/g fresh weight, respectively. The sample with the highest total phenolic contents was Punica granatum orange (146.7 mg/g dry weight). It was concluded that in most cases, flowers with high carotenoid contents did not contain high phenolic content and vice versa. The results of this study can help to develop innovative concepts and products for the industry.
AB - Flowers have been used for centuries in decoration and traditional medicine, and as components of dishes. In this study, carotenoids and phenolics from 125 flowers were determined by liquid chromatography (RRLC and UHPLC). After comparing four different extractants, the carotenoids were extracted with acetone: methanol (2:1), which led to a recovery of 83%. The phenolic compounds were extracted with 0.1% acidified methanol. The petals of the edible flowers Renealmia alpinia and Lantana camara showed the highest values of theoretical vitamin A activity expressed as retinol activity equivalents (RAE), i.e., 19.1 and 4.1 RAE/g fresh weight, respectively. The sample with the highest total phenolic contents was Punica granatum orange (146.7 mg/g dry weight). It was concluded that in most cases, flowers with high carotenoid contents did not contain high phenolic content and vice versa. The results of this study can help to develop innovative concepts and products for the industry.
KW - Antioxidants
KW - Edible flowers
KW - Functional foods
KW - Petals
KW - Phytochemicals
KW - Retinol activity equivalents
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85120666911&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/foods10112625
DO - 10.3390/foods10112625
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85120666911
SN - 2304-8158
VL - 10
JO - Foods
JF - Foods
IS - 11
M1 - 2625
ER -